Nothing Without You

Chapter 9

All of a sudden I woke up from my dream. I was so confused as to what was going on. I had such kind and loving parents who would never force me to do something that I didn't want to do. Tom and I were also arch-nemesis. Sure our parents were friends but Tom and I have never been friends. He just annoys me so much and doesn't even understand how a girl thinks. I just got back from filming Anyone But You. My parents have supported every single movie I've made. Even if it's only the little parts. This movie was big. I was the main character and this was going to kick-start my career.

Since tonight is my first night home my parents planned a dinner with our neighbors. My parents told me that Tom was out of town and wouldn't be home so I had nothing to worry about. I was so excited to see Paddy and the twins. They were all so nice to me I just don't understand why Tom couldn't either. I had about an hour before they got here so I decided that I was going to take a quick nap since the jet lag was catching up to me. Anyone who said jet lag was a choice has never flown over an 8-hour flight.

My mom came and woke me up after about 45 minutes saying that I needed to get out of pajamas and into something appropriate. I lay in bed for a while before getting up and putting on a cute but comfortable shirt with some jean shorts. I brushed my hair out because there was no way that I would let anyone but my parents see this bedhead. I went downstairs and waited on the couch for our guests.

I heard a knock on the door, my mom answered it and Nikki rushed in to give me a big hug.

"Oh, sweetheart!! It's so good to see you! It's been too long!" She cried

"It has!" I said as I squeezed her tight. As I let go of the hug I saw a rather tall Paddy. He has grown so much since I saw him last. He looks so grown up!

"Oh my goodness Paddy is that you? There's no way! You've gotten so tall!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah it's me" He chuckled and gave me a side hug. I saw the twins and gave them both hugs. What I was not expecting was Tom. Waiting in the door frame with a smirk on his face.

"Why hello darling." He said. I just glared at him. There was no way I was going to waste such a good night on such a horrible person. I ignored him, turned around, and headed to the dinner table. Dinner looked so good and our parents started talking right away. Meanwhile, Tom and I were sitting across from each other with him kicking my chin. He's so childish.

Tom kept kicking me and I just let him because there was no need to act like a child when I just turned 20. Sure, I did it when I was younger but I've grown up and matured. I can't exactly say the same about Tom. I graduated high school last year and I quickly left for my first big movie. I was living on my own so I matured pretty quickly after high school.

After dinner, I excused myself, rinsed my dish, put it in the dishwasher, and went to the living room. The others did the same. We all talked for a while, there were many questions about my movie that was coming out.

"So, when is the premiere?" Asked Tom. I wondered why he would even care. He always made fun of whatever I was passionate about.

"7 months," I said, with a smile on my face. I was so proud of the work that was done on this movie. Not many people knew who was in it and the trailers were just starting to be released.

"You all are going to love it! Glen and I had so much fun filming it!"

"Who's Glen?" Harry asked.

"Oh, Glen Powell. He's been in a lot of movies. Have you seen Top Gun Maverick?" I asked. Sure Glen and I had a little age gap. It was only 8 years. It wasn't like I was looking to date him.

"Wait, Glen Powell?! I loved him in Top Gun!!" Paddy exclaimed. I laughed.

A few hours later the Hollands decided that it was time to leave. We all said goodbye and gave our hugs. By the time that I got to Tom, I decided to act like the adult I am and I opened my arms to see if he wanted a hug. He looked confused but then smirked. I knew what was coming as soon as he smirked. I tried to avoid it but he pushed my head and I fell hitting my head on the coffee table. I hold my head while looking at him. He was laughing!! He didn't even care that I hit my head. Nikki instantly ran to my side to see if I was ok. She then reprimanded Tom for pushing me. He then shrugged and turned toward the door to go home.

After they all left I went to my room with my medicine for the major headache I had. I wish that I knew the nice Tom that everyone talks about online. Meanwhile, I was stuck with the asshole who doesn't even care if I have a concussion from his doing. It makes me wonder what I ever did to him that made us enemies. I can never even think of a time when Tom and I weren't enemies. I decided to not let him control my mind and I went to bed.

The next day I woke up with the worst migraine ever. I heard a knock on the door and it made me want to die. My head hurt so much.

I said a very quiet "Come in." I held my head. My mom walked in with a glass and some medicine.

"How are you feeling? I know that fall might hurt a lot." She said

"Not great. My head is killing me. I don't understand why Tom did that. I was just trying to hug him." I said softly.

"I don't understand why he's doing this. You guys used to be great friends when you were little." My mom said caressing my head.

"Really? All I can remember is him hating me and I did it back. But I thought that since I was gone for over a year I would retry and maybe things would change. Apparently, I was wrong. I didn't even realize that he was going to be here." I cried. My head hurt so much and I just wanted to close my eyes.

"I'm going to let you sleep. You need it. If it doesn't get better by tonight I'm going to take you to the doctor. I'll be at the Hollands if you need anything." My mom said kissing my head and leaving my room. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.